While Tesla is the undisputed pioneer of electric cars, with first few models already on road and a target of rolling out a million vehicles a year by 2020, Volkswagen is hopeful of posing a potent challenge in the near future. Though Volkswagen have lost the initiative and only plans to start delivering its first standalone battery-powered models in next couple of years, the Wolfsburg-based company boasts of a stronger global distribution network and manufacturing expertise.

Stronger Manufacturing Might Makes VW a Natural Competitor

The automotive industry is currently undergoing revolution and Volkswagen AG are world’s biggest player, dislodging Toyota Motor Corp. last year from the pole position. The widespread geographical presence makes Volkswagen a natural competitor to Tesla, who have nominal market share in the U.S. and parts of Europe, according to Herbert Diess, who is in-charge of VW’s namesake brand. It must be noted that Volkswagen churns out more cars inside two days from its production factories than what Tesla managed to sell in 2016.

Crozz and Lounge Models to Follow after Golf

Volkswagen has signed off the final prototype of electric I.D. line hatchback, which is in-sync with the company’s high-selling Golf. The first electric car from Volkswagen is expected to be priced along the similar lines as to Golf’s diesel version, with a range of about 370 miles with fully charged batteries. By 2023, the company has plans to add the Crozz, a compact crossover, and the Lounge, a SUV, to their portfolio, releasing them to the global market including China.

Elon Musk’s company has established itself as the leader in the electric car market, but BMW AB, Daimler AG, and Volkswagen AG want a bigger slice of the pie. Tesla have set ambitious production goals for next few years but it remains to be seen if they can meet the demand when electric cars go ubiquitous, which shouldn’t be too long.